Kari Holmes, a Lansing native now recording out of Nashville, has created some buzz after releasing her 2016 debut modern-country disc, the six-song “Something New” EP. The moody-pop single “More from Me” was released to mainstream country radio and instantly made the top 200 on Music Row. Prior to that, she issued a single track, “Nothing I Can Do” in 2012 – her catalog is available via iTunes. Holmes is a lead vocalist who not only pens her own tunes, but also plays rhythm guitar, banjo and mandolin. Her contemporary sound has been likened to Shania Twain, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood. Along with her musical partner and husband, William Shadrick – who released his own full-length “Whirlwind of Emotion – the pair has racked up over 12,000 radio plays and toured steadily. Friday, she headlines at the Loft; North of Dixie opens.

Danika Holmes, a Nashville-based Americana-pop artist, performs two local shows this week: Friday evening at the Pump House, and then Saturday at the Broad Art Museum’s free Acoustic Lunch concert series at 12:30 p.m. Holmes (vocals/guitar), backed by lead guitarist Jeb Hart, has played soulful, acoustically-driven hooks at more than 400 shows spanning the United States and Europe. The duo formed in 2010, as Holmes abandoned her Ph.D. career path and pursued music full time. In 2012, backed by a full band, she issued the fittingly titled “Living Your Dream” LP. Since then, she’s been featured on Sirius XM’s “Coffee House” and has opened for the likes of Dierks Bentley and Phil Vassar. In 2014, as a duo, Holmes and Hart released “Balance Vol. 1,” an album fan-funded through Kickstarter. Prior to relocating to Nashville, Holmes grew up on the Mississippi River in Iowa. Fans of Sara Bareilles or Colbie Caillat might want to check out this Pump House concert.

Lansing-metal vet Heartsick, headlines an all-ages show July 27 at Mac’s Bar, openers are Never Ending Avenue, Sun & Flesh, Gravity, Sky Lit Heights and Echoes of Silence. Last week, Heartsick announced via the band’s Facebook page that it’s on the Michigan Metal Fest bill. The event is August 26 in Battle Creek and features big-name acts like 36 Crazyfists, DevilDriver, Tyrant and more. Heartsick (formerly known as Know Lyfe), comprises vocalist Alfonso Civile, guitarist Jerred Pruneau, drummer Justin Robison and bassist Waylon Fox. The band has played well over 1,500 shows, from small-club gigs to major festivals, since it formed 17 years ago. In that time, the band has released a series of independent releases, including 2011’s “Empire of Wolves” LP. After the band re-branded in December 2015, it promptly issued a self-titled disc under the Heartsick moniker.